HomeMy WebLinkAbout09142015 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
September 14, 2015 Volume 39, Page 508
CALL TO ORDER
The September 14,2015 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at
7:00 p.m. by Mayor Jean Bardarson.
OPENING CEREMONY
Police Chief Tom Clemons led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Jean Bardarson presiding and
Marianna Keil Ristine Casagranda
Christy Terry David Squires
Iris Darling
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Jim Hunt, City Manager
Will Earnhart, City Attorney
Johanna Kinney, City Clerk
Absent—Dale Butts
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING
Tim McDonald said it had been a busy season with a lot of congestion on the streets. He
stated the city should think about an access road from the dump to Exit Glacier Road.There was also
aerial traffic growing in Seward as well, and the city should plan better with their infrastructure,
including protection of Seward's fisheries and wildlife. McDonald thought it was a waste to allow
duck hunting inside the city limits anymore.
Joe Fong,Administrator of Seward Providence Medical and Care Center,noted an external
survey was conducted at the facility in August. These surveys were to be done every three years.
Providence received some deficiencies that they were seeking to rectify and come into compliance
within the given timeframe. Fong wished to speak to the council at an upcoming meeting to give a
more formal report.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Keil/Terry) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
With no objection from council,Terry moved the order of the resolutions to allow Resolution 2015-
083 to be the first item under New Business.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
September 14, 2015 Volume 39,Page 509
Terry added the rescheduling of the Maple Street Water and Sewer Project Work Session under
Other New Business Items.
Terry added Resolution 2015-084 to the consent agenda with no objection from council.
Bardarson added a Certificate of Appreciation for Debra Bond to Proclamations and Awards.
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Appoint Mark Kansteiner,Patty Linville,Tom Osborne,Sue Faust,and Kerry Martin to the
Election Board for October 6,2015 City Election.
Appoint Dorothy Osenga,Susie Urbach,Jennifer Carr,Kristi Larson,and Sharyl Seese(Back-
Up) to the Canvass Board for the October 6,2015 City Election.
Resolution 2015-084, Authorizing The City Manager To Accept The 2014 Assistance To
Firefighters Regional Grant Award#EMW-2014-FR-00166 For Live Fire Training Simulator
In The Amount Of $284,286, Matching Funds From Other Fire Departments Of$11,214,
Authorizing A City Match Of$3,000 And Appropriating Funds In The Amount Of$298,500.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations & Awards
Certificate of Appreciation for Rebecca Lasell, Superintendent for National Park
Services in Seward.
•
Certificate of Appreciation for Debra Bond.
Borough Assembly Report. Sue McClure said she was nearly done giving assembly
reports, as she would soon be termed out of office. There were a lot of things happening on the
assembly,but mostly affecting the other side of the Kenai Peninsula.The borough website had a lot
of information including the entire election brochure. Also available on the borough website were
agendas for the Marijuana Task Force and the Healthcare Task Force. McClure would soon be
attending the annual community meetings in six different outlying communities to discuss how to
use revenue sharing monies for services.The city and borough election was on October 6,2015.Her
seat would be up for election on the borough ballot. She encouraged the public to read up on the
candidates and the borough-wide Proposition 1,which would repeal the authorization of general rule
cities to levy and collect sales tax year round on non-prepared food. These cities were originally
allowed to opt out of the exemption, but if this citizen initiative passed, that decision would be
reversed. The cities of Seward and Kenai were actually exempt from this as they were home rule
cities, but the entire borough would be able to vote on this proposition. The assembly's annual
meeting in Homer was September 15, 2015.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
September 14, 2015 Volume 39, Page 510
City Manager's Report.Jim Hunt reported four purchases between$10,000 and$50,000
had been approved since the last council meeting:$10,000 to the Financial Engineering Company for
the Electric Department,$25,151 to Quality Equipment Sales for the purchase of a utility box with a
crane for the Public Works Department, $12,000 to Cline and Associates for plat services for the
Community Development Department,and$12,774 to Aberdeen for a new Accufund server for the
Finance Department.Hunt stated the city was continuing to prepare for the Seward Marine Industrial
Center(SMIC)breakwater project.
The Electric Department planned to start work on replacing the downtown decorative lights
next week. The Finance Department welcomed two new employees: Sarka Polcarova and Kelley
Sefton. Hunt thanked outgoing finance employee Marsha Vincent for her many years of service to
the City of Seward. The city continued to advertise for the Assistant Finance Director position as
well as the Project Manager position.
Hunt thanked every department and employee that helped make President Obama's visit so
successful.He gave special thanks to Police Chief Tom Clemons.Hunt noted the city received many
compliments on how smooth this visit went. Bardarson also thanked Chief Clemons and the rest of
the city staff for their work in hosting the President.
Squires noticed Moose Pass had a cross walk across the Seward Highway,and asked Hunt to
talk to the State Department of Transportation again on getting two crosswalks installed on the
highway: one south of Napa Auto Parts and one by Sea Lion Drive for school traffic.
Terry was happy to see finance getting up to a full staff. She asked if the department still had
an employee that lived out of state full time; Hunt confirmed they did and they were a contracted
employee. Terry thought,for livable wage jobs,it was important for those people to live in the city
and contribute to the city economy.
Keil expressed displeasure in the audit not being prepared timely.
Hunt said they'd received some applicants for the Project Manager position. It was an
important position for the city, so they hoped to fill it soon. Bardarson wanted to know when the
council would receive a financial wrap up of the sewage lagoon project. Terry wanted to see an
update on the next manager's report.
City Attorney's Report. Will Earnhart said he worked with the Police Chief on Title 11
revisions to the City Code. He was working with staff on revising Title 14 of the City Code,
regarding utilities. Earnhart said he had some materials from this summer's training to release to
boards and commissions, which he would ask the clerk to distribute for him.
Other Reports,Announcements and Presentations
Sister City Student Exchange Presentation by Mary Elena Ramirez,Billy Wolfe, and
Elena Hamner.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
September 14, 2015 Volume 39, Page 511
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Resolutions Requiring A Public Hearing
Resolution 2015-081, Amending Previously Adopted City Council Resolution 2015-046,
Striking The Term "Non-Income Based" As Used Throughout In Reference To The Senior
Housing Facility.
Motion (Terry/Keil) Approve Resolution 2015-081
Hunt said this resolution regarding a senior housing project in Seward was brought back
due to the fact that funding allotment for this project became extremely limited for non-income
based housing.Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiative(KPHI)found they could not be as competitive
in this project and was considering still applying for a six plex facility,but with two units being
income based.There was funding potentially available for this plan.Administration did not have a
recommendation on this.
Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public
hearing was opened.
Brandy McGee was the Program Manager of the KPHI. She stated grant funding was tied to
construction for projects like this. If the project proposal remained completely non-income based,
KPHI was looking at$400,000 less in grant funding opportunities.
Margaret Anderson urged the council to pass this resolution because it was the closest the
city was to getting senior housing. She thanked the city for allocating the property. Funding would
need to come from several different entities and potentially a term loan. With federal funding cut
backs, it made it difficult to think about funding for this type of housing down the road.
Kelly Hartz reminded everyone that everyone who spoke earlier in the year on this issue was
in favor of senior housing. Senior housing was something that was needed in Seward as there was a
lack of housing for its elders. She urged council to change the wording and pass this resolution.
No one else appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed.
Terry asked where administration was in coming up with new policy and procedure on the
distribution of city land. Hunt said they needed to reissue the energy behind it. She recalled
administration was going to come up with some guidelines to bring back to council for
consideration.Hunt said they could bring something forward;Terry recollected that at the last work
session on this topic it was fairly clear direction to bring something back to council. She supported
this resolution,but wondered if it should go to the Planning and Zoning Commission first.
Casagranda felt that everyone was in favor of senior housing and this was the right
opportunity to make the change requested by KPHI.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
September 14, 2015 Volume 39, Page 512
Darling said this bothered her a great deal as nearly everything in Seward was subsidized or
income based and thought perhaps sending this resolution to Planning and Zoning was a good
thought. Hunt reminded council this was an opportunity for one time funding.
Keil thought that Hartz had a good point that everyone supported senior housing. It was
important to keep seniors in the community.
By unanimous consent, council suspended rules to allow McGee to answer questions. In
response to council,McGee said income restrictions were set forth by the US Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) and published annually. She noted all of the senior units through
KPHI were filled. Squires asked if the restricted units would apply to Phase Two, McGee was
unaware of what would happen specifically with Phase Two.
In response to Terry, McGee said grant applications needed to be in by November and
emphasized that if this amendment couldn't be made, KPHI likely couldn't move forward on the
project.
Darling asked if HUD had participation in management. McGee said they did have
participation, and KPHI was required to perform HUD certifications.
Keil thought when council originally passed Resolution 2015-046, there was more money
available and then budget cuts occurred. She noted the new plan was to still have two-thirds of the
units be non-income based and therefore intended to support the change.
Council went back on the rules and continued discussion.
Squires had concerns as well.He wanted this project to go through but was concerned about
having an income restricted facility. Squires would support this change to make this project go
through,but come Phase Two, he would have more questions.
•
Terry was worried about making this change without vetting it through the Planning and
Zoning Commission, but would support it due to the time restrictions. She emphasized the
importance of having adequate public input with these land transactions.
Darling still had a problem with controlling rent and subsidizing this project. They didn't
need more income based property in Seward.
Motion Passed Yes: Keil, Terry, Squires, Casagranda,
Bardarson
No: Darling
UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None
NEW BUSINESS
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
September 14, 2015 Volume 39, Page 513
Resolution 2015-083,Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract With Dryden
& LaRue, Inc. For Certification Of The Public Rights Of Way, In Conjunction With The
Seward Road Improvement Project, In The Amount Of $99,566 And Approving A
Contingency Not To Exceed 15% Or$14,935,And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2015-083
Public Works Director W.C.Casey said this was the final piece to move forward with the
Seward paving project. He explained that Seward was lucky vendors bid on this job this late in the
year,as the state was inundated with survey work. Luckily,a responsible and responsive quote was
received.
In response to Squires, Casey stated they would assist with traffic control and road closures
as needed. Casey said this certification was for all the streets listed in the state project that were
already agreed upon.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2015-082, Authorizing The City Manager To Amend The Contract With R&M
Consultants Inc.For Engineering Support Services During Construction For The Replacement
Of A, B, C, S And G-Floats At The Seward Boat Harbor,And Appropriating Funds Not To
Exceed $134,653.
Motion (Keil/Squires) Approve Resolution 2015-082
Hunt said this was to allow for engineering support services for the float replacement project.
Motion to Amend (Keil/Squires) Amend Resolution 2015-082 by substituting
the laydown of the contract amendment.
City Clerk Johanna Kinney clarified the laydown version of the contract amendment before
council added the letter"A"to the "A,B, C, S-Float replacement" of the project title.
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Harbormaster Norm Regis said some of the services had to be done by an engineer.R&M
Consultants had worked on this project for a long time and this would help get the project finished.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Other New Business Items
Reschedule a work session to discuss the Maple Street Sewer and Water Project. Council
rescheduled this work session for Friday, October 9,2015 at 5:00 p.m.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
September 14, 2015 Volume 39, Page 514
Bi-Annual Report from the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission.
Letter to President Barack Obama thanking him for visiting Seward.
Letter of Appreciation for Local Support of Student Exchange Program.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Keil was happy to see the Senior Housing resolution pass tonight. There was a lot of
dedication on this. She praised administration and its employees for their work on the presidential
visit.
Casagranda hoped they would receive the budget work books in advance of the work
sessions.
Squires passed his congratulations along to Fire Chief Eddie Athey and his staff on the grant
acceptance tonight for the live fire training simulator.He thanked Harbormaster Norm Regis for his
indulgence today on the R&M resolution they approved tonight. Squires stated he appreciated
Erchinger,Hunt,Long and Earnhart's work on the garbage work session tonight.Their presentations
tonight helped better explain the process.He appreciated their work on this as it was important to the
community to know these things.
Darling thanked the three Seward-Obihiro exchange students for the presentation tonight and
stated they were great representatives of Seward.
Bardarson thanked staff for putting together a great visit for the president.She knew it was a
lot of work. She welcomed new finance employees and thanked Marsha Vincent for her years of
service to the city. She thanked the exchange students as well and noted next year's applications
were out.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Tim McDonald brought a contract between the city and the former operator of the city's
shipyard.He distributed copies to the press and the public.McDonald referenced article three of the
agreement,which stated the"operator shall have the right to collect and retain all revenue received
from the Shiplift Facility."McDonald felt this was very one-sided and not in the city's best interest.
Earnhart requested the clerk stop time for McDonald's comments and said there was no
malfeasance occurring with this agreement. He offered to arrange a time to discuss this with
McDonald further and stated McDonald was inaccurately accusing people of things.
McDonald continued to say this was a 2012 contract that had been passed along to the new
operator. The city was leasing the land which had little value and gave the operator the facility to
earn a profit off of.He felt the city was giving away their assets.McDonald didn't think this was an
inappropriate issue to bring up. He agreed the city's finances were complex.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
September 14, 2015 Volume 39, Page 515
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS
Squires responded that citizens had the right to bring forward comments in the public
interest. He disagreed with McDonald's assertion and stated the city did get income from lease
revenues. The lease and operating agreement was a public-vetted decision. The city agreed to rent
this land for a certain price. Everyone was meeting their requirements.
Hunt noted the city received approximately$64,000 a year in lease profits.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
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